Former outfielder Dave Roberts has been confirmed as the new manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the first ethnic minority boss of the iconic Major League Baseball franchise.
Roberts, 43, the son of an African-American former Marine and Japanese-American mother, will be formally introduced at an unveiling on December 1, the Dodgers said.
The new team manager replaces Don Mattingly, who left the club by mutual agreement at the end of the close season after the Dodgers once again failed to reach the World Series.
Roberts played for the Dodgers between 2002 and 2004, and a nomadic career also included stints with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.
Roberts told the Dodgers' website he was proud to be signing for the club which famously blazed a trail by signing Jackie Robinson -- the first black player to play in the major leagues -- in 1947.
"It's hard for me to put into words what it means to be named manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers," said Roberts, who joins from the Padres coaching staff.
"This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime. The Dodgers are the ground-breaking franchise of Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Sandy Koufax, Maury Wills, Fernando Valenzuela and Hideo Nomo.
"When I put on this uniform as a player, I understood the special responsibility to honour those that played before me as well as the amazing bond between the Dodgers and their fans."
Roberts is the youngest Dodgers manager since Walt Alston, 42, was hired in 1954.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Roberts had landed the job after impressing during interviews.
"We could not have been more impressed with him through this process," Friedman said.
"We feel fully confident that he will effectively lead our team in pursuit of its ultimate goal -- bringing a world championship back to the city of Los Angeles."
AFP
